From a pool of nearly 40,000 TDCJ employees subject to testing, approximately 9,600 uniformed and non-uniformed employees who have regular contact with offenders and parolees will be randomly tested for illegal drug use each year under a policy implemented in August...

The trip to pick up her husband from state prison in Huntsville would have taken David Ramos wife nearly three hours by car. Instead, she had to drive just 15 minutes from their home in Dallas.

Ramos was one of 22 Correctional Institutions Division offenders released from the Hutchins State Jail near Dallas on September 1. The state jail is one of the new regional release centers where TDCJ now releases offenders at locations closer and more convenient for family and friends...

Building a Bridge to the Future Leadership Training became a reality in May 2006 as TDCJs executive leaders took action to recognize and develop staff members who have assumed leadership roles in the agency. To date, 207 non-correctional, mid-level managers have completed this executive staff administered training program. Participants were nominated by their respective division directors and selected by Executive Director Brad Livingston based on their leadership qualities...

To avoid having his eye blackened as a boy in San Antonio, Michael Steigerwald earned a black belt in judo. Subsequent black belts in karate and kung fu strengthened his reputation as someone who could defend himself in any situation.

I think I had to prove myself only once, said Steigerwald, now a 50-year-old Security Threat Group officer at the Allred Unit near Wichita Falls...

The 82nd Texas Legislature convenes on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. Members of the Texas House and Senate may begin filing proposed legislation as early as Monday, November 8, 2010. However, most bills, to include the General Appropriations Act (the states proposed budget for the next two fiscal years) are usually filed after the legislative session begins...